🚨BSA 650 Gold Star Transformation, The 2 most worthwhile modifications SO FAR!

[@robwilkguitar4458]

This takes me back to the sixties, that sounds absolutely bang on, Goldie sound.

[@southerncross1941]

Absolutely

[@BrianLesliePerry]

l visited Hagon in Hainault about 30 years ago for a set of shocks and alloy wheels for my old Norton....l see on Google maps they are still trading from the same address...In this age of economic problems its gratifying to see a British company still trading...There was a little museum in the Vestibule to view the history of Hagon..Drag/Sprinting and Speedway .Very knowable and helpful Staff...

[@Jules-f4e]

The pipe sounds great. Just bought a new Goldstar Legacy for £5,495 on the road and having it delivered next week. There are some great deals around at the moment.

[@markjordan899]

please can you tell me which dealer that is from??? as my local one is adding £200 for otr charge...thanks.

[@Jules-f4e]

@@markjordan899 Midlife Classics in the West midlands. They only had one legacy edition left, but they have other models.

[@stevet599]

Thanks for getting out and riding! Seeing & hearing bikes on the road is great - anytime, any weather (well almost)!

[@StephenSkinner-y1c]

I'm aching with envy as we don't get the BSA in Australia. That said brilliant bits of kit for a lovely bike, thanks Stu.

[@chrisweeks6973]

The silly thing is that BSA's are being sold in New Zealand through three outlets, while here in Oz... 😒

[@Robin-iv1kc]

Hi Stuart, thanks for another informative video. I’ve been wondering whether to get a set of Hagons for my Royal Enfield interceptor. This video has made my mind up. Although you are on the BSA, it just goes to prove how good Hagon Shocks are. It’s their world of expertise and they know what they are doing. Linked to a Harris frame who are another company with years of experience and knowledge, I can only see a win win. Thanks again for all your good work. I really look forward to your videos.

[@PeterCompton-x5m]

Really appreciate the effort you have made re GOLDSTARS. Just had mine out for the first winter rides. Cold but wonderful. Definitely going for the Hitchcocks exhaust. Great work, thanks Pete

[@stuartfillingham]

Glad you like them!

[@stevewalker2047]

Good morning Stu. Pity about the weather but still a very good video. Those Hagen shocks do look good and easy to use. I’m thinking of the concealed spring ones for my Interceptor. The free flow exhaust sounds awesome . I could live with a sound like that. The exhaust system now looks cleaner and more in keeping with the with the Goldie look.

[@KRAM-zb2vc]

Brilliant video as always Stuart and the shocks look great and the exhaust note is fantastic, not too quiet and not too loud 😃👍🏻

[@bitey6709]

Hi Stu. Nice of you to brave the conditions for our audible pleasure. Freezing fog was something I'd have to endure once or twice every year on my commute to work. Using the clutch hand to keep the visor clear of ice. I would find after the half hour trip that the only clear spot left on the visor was a 50 mm circle in the centre. Anyway the Goldie sounds great.

[@Bob-xc2us]

Nice mods. Glad you are happy with them. Sounds like a true motorcycle now.

[@Suzuki_Ste]

Great Video and it sounds great, no need to be sorry when the roads are like that nobody whats a fall, ride safe.

[@DahakaBSA]

Thanks for the review! I got my BSA de decat section pipe and goes like a charm, same sound. I pair it with a fuel x lite from Hitchcock's to avoid excessive lean mix. 11k kms on it and Im really, really happy.

[@joereedmusic9853]

Good to see you back.

[@davidwills6477]

Another excellent review Stu. Thank you.

[@clarehennessey3653]

Beautiful light for the video Stuart.

[@PeterWW-W]

As ever, great video😊.

[@MrJpb2000]

Great video Uncle Stu…always liked the Hagon shocks on modern classics. That exhaust sounds exactly how you want it to sound so totally worth it.

[@AlexNorman-g9s]

Great video. I took a Goldstar for a test ride last year, I was put off by the soft ride on the demo bike, a shame because I loved the look, feel and heritage of the bike... but the Hagon shocks sound like a game changer, maybe time for a rethink.......

[@martinowl]

I have these 2820’s on my Interceptor 650. Now on my second pair, which work quite well as intended. Just to point out, as I didn’t know, they are not rebuildable. So if they lose damping, that’s that pair done. Hagon’s are a great company to deal with & suggest buy from them direct.

[@kevansimister3967]

Brilliant as normal keep up your great work

[@leswatson8563]

Morning Stewart. Put my headphones on for this one. Your BSA does sound nice. Yesterday while ordering parts for my Super Meteor, I noticed Hitchcock's held Hagon rear suspension at the same length as the original suspension that came on the 650. So I ordered a set at the same time. I'll let you know my opinion once fitted. Incidentally after my front tyre got a screw in the worst place, a new Dunlop series two tyre was fitted. I have only done around 50 miles on that tyre but I have noticed a slightly softer ride on the front end running at 41psi. And like you I intend to fit a free flow exhaust at some point in the future so she runs cooler. Stay safe and see you in the next one sir 👍😊.

[@johnfortes2171]

Stuart-you aren't the only one with crappy weather! I went out at 8 o'clock this morning for my walk and it was 36 degrees! Oh yeah I live in west central Florida!!

[@richardyardley5127]

Great video Stu and the BSA sounds exactly how it should now. I can vouch for the complete Hitchcock's stainless exhaust systems, having fitted one to my Classic 500. There is no mistaking that single cylinder 'thump' transmitted through a quality open exhaust system. I will be doing the same with my 'new' 2020 Euro 4 Chrome/black Interceptor when I've saved up enough pennies 🙂

[@kevbaldwin9552]

Hi Stuart the pipe sounds really good nice tone ,and Hagon shocks as ever a worthwhile upgrade have used them on a few bikes over the years and always delivered a noticeable improvement. The less said about the weather the better it's a bit grim !

[@vincesacca5025]

The Goldstar is a nice looking motorcycle. I think it pays heritage to the legacy of the bike. It seems that its appeal though hasn't really caught on yet. Maybe that will all change in the future. I hope it does. Goodbye for now my friend.

[@JamesParfree]

Another great video Stuart. I am looking forward to watching out for other mods that you may choose to do. Have you fitted a battery tender yet? If so, how did you undertake that task?

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

sounds better Stuart from a the riders position for sure, though the engine will run leaner now the cat's been removed, it definitely looks better.. the shocks are nice but not essential at all, these mods are good if the bike has been bought at the lower price 😙. liking the ride past in the fog very haunting i know that lane. love the definition of the exhaust sound blimey.

[@stuartfillingham]

it wont run lean it has an adaptive ecu

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

@@stuartfillingham Ok il look into that 😊

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

@@stuartfillingham looks like the hitchcocks exhaust is far superior to the tech parts @£250 and hitchcocks @ £534 inc vat ok more expensive but far better! it does say obviously that it will discolour and will blue at the header. To note /as long as people remember to let the insurance know they've changed the exhaust.....mmm cant see it myself! i paid the full price for mine in 2023 so i cant justify the additional cost, il just admire others, tho i have the old bikes for the authentic sound. really looking forward to trying the classic 650 🙂

[@colinmartin2921]

Let us hope that Hagon will still be able to make their shocks in the UK as our Government destroys our manufacturing industry; with electricity prices the highest in the world it is only a matter of time until all manufacturing is exported to China. Even the Germans are de-industrializing at a rapid pace and they are not paying as much for energy as we are.

[@martinowl]

Yep it’s time the UK gov. Irrespective of party, started to give real support to UK manufacturing, instead of all the nonsense bs, we have got for the last 40+ years.

[@leswatson8563]

Couldn't agree more! Especially with the bunny government talks about having a " Northern Powerhouse" while we own nothing and be happy?

[@filipvrijders7994]

For a long time, I have the impression that your prime is working for the new powers that are rising…

[@hectorshouse7348]

Export industry to China then sanction China, or at the very least stick huge tariffs on what they make…awesome

[@andrewgateway]

The biggest cost to a business is wages, and that is the main reason manufacturing is moving to China.

[@ogasi1798]

sounds great 🙂

[@paulwhitehead3214]

They are good the Hagon shocks, years ago I had a cheap Honda super dream off a mate for going back n forwards to work so our lass could have the car and ordered some for it and it made it a much better ride and handling. Not as sophisticated as your much newer ones lol

[@johnrickards1908]

Stu', am I right in thinking them there clocks in the opening sequence were not working? Or were you just going really slow?

[@stuartfillingham]

they start at 1 oclock and then travel clockwise. so working perfectly.

[@yardenl1998]

It appears that they do not work. However we'll wait for Stu's say on the matter.

[@theodavies8754]

I have vance and hines straight shots on my HD. Like my brother said, I don't get it. That's good enough for me.

[@paulwhitehead3214]

P.s the exhaust sounds much better and looks much better with the Hichcocks one 👌

[@rodneygunn788]

Good bike still needs a centre stand or no deal for me

[@sonu8034]

Did u also change the air filter?

[@BSAroadrocket]

did the hitchcock system need the fuelx?

[@stuartfillingham]

no

[@kristophertrout7328]

So... which bike is feeling more classic? The BSA, or the Mule?

[@davidstancomb5380]

Hagons worth it on the Classic 350? Was looking at doing the camshaft and suspension, as well as fitting a belt drive.

[@PazuloSchlorb]

Hello Stuard! Take your BSA to a dynamometer. Maybe you'll get a nice surprise. I remember my YAMAHA SR 500, which gained five hp just by changing the exhaust system (from 34 to 39 hp).

[@Disposalist]

Good review as always. I have to say when I test rode the BSA I wasn't a fan of the exhaust noise. Where the J-series RE is a delightful thump-thump-thump, the BSA is... I don't rightly know how to describe! I'll try "agricultural clatter"? I'm afraid the pipe hasn't helped with the noise, though I may get a Hitchcocks straight-through for my Bullet, because accentuating _that_ would be nice ;^) Horses for courses, though. I bet some love it - especially if it's 'authentic' Goldstar-esque.

[@morrisminor56]

Just got a pair of Hagons for my classic 350, as after 3 winters the open springs had gone a bit rusty. It's all this salt still on the roads.

[@demonjaydee1]

A nice looking exhaust but I'm not a big fan of stainless steel exhausts after having two bikes fitted with them. All that I seemed to do was polish them to remove the constant tarnishing, I much prefer chrome.

[@stuartfillingham]

leave it to mellow. most chrome exhausts turn blue on modern bikes so they have to be double skinned.

[@michaelreid2329]

Those pipes sound very hollow in the intro section. They need to adjust the sound balance with a bit more bass. On the other hand the shocks look to be nice, with simple adjusment

[@stuartfillingham]

like i said in the intro dont trust camera audio

[@michaelreid2329]

​@@stuartfillinghamOK. They do sound a bit better on the twisting part of the video, but still emphatically hollow, like its connected to a long section of water pipe.

[@iraxef1]

I’m considering the stainless exhaust for my bike, but am worried the golden / yellow / burned pipe look will spoil the look of my bike (which is otherwise black / blue / & chrome and has no brown / yellow type of colors). What are your thoughts on this?

[@fasthracing]

Of subject but here is one for you. Judd Motorcycles are doing PCP deals on a new Norton Commando for £69 down and £69 a month over 2 years! Almost tempted.

[@markjefferson9799]

Sounds good Stuart...The hagon s have got to be better been making good shocks a long time.why can't manufacturers.

[@nikoscosmos]

Great video, Hagon certainly know their stuff. On the matter of decatting a Euro 5 bike, what is your opinion about the legalities of modifications to the type approval, is it ok , will the Police turn a blind eye (or ear) to this? As you used to be in the Police I would value your opinions on this. Thanks, Nick.

[@BrianLesliePerry]

If Harley riders can get away with excessive exhaust noise l see no reason why the Beezer should be a problem for the ear of the law....

[@JamesParfree]

Good point, but the Police in the UK haven't got the time to investigate domestic burglary so it is unlikely they will have the time or inclination to check.

[@nikoscosmos]

@JamesParfree I saw the DVSA pulling vehicles over once. Trouble is I live 50/50 England and Germany and there they are really tough on exhausts. Don't really want to take the risk.

[@vick8914]

👍

[@petermumford265]

I noted the car in the thick, freezing fog HAD NO LIGHTS ON!!! That’s the problem with modern cars, drivers think it’s all done for them!!

[@simmysharma6845]

👍😊🎉

[@sergemoreillon1236]

🥶👍👍

[@Gillie15]

Sounds reet smart squire! Plus can't go wrong with the hagons shame about the weather and road conditions 😮

[@luizgiao652]

Unfortunatelly BSA Is not availeable in my country

[@mred7030]

only the brave .

[@matusknives]

Sadly, in EU taking out the cat is a no-go. So this kind of exaust system cannont be used.

[@883frederick]

I love your channel Stuart, I have been watching for years and I like your style and interesting content. But these days, no sooner does a video start than an advert appears, then 5 minutes later another advert, and then another. On second viewing, the adverts are far fewer, so it's all a bit odd to me. I don't know how KZbin works or if they have recently changed their terms, and I am sure it is not your fault, but for me it's becoming unwatchable. I watch many other KZbin channels where adverts are considerably fewer and some where they only appear at the beginning and end. I understand you need to survive and I have the option of paying not see adverts, but I also need to survive and £12 a month seems excessive in light of KZbin being valued at around the $2 billion mark and with so many other subscriptions to pay for. Some content providers also dodge this by including the promotion in the actual dialogue, which is equally annoying. KZbin seem to be following the American tv channels model where you don't even know an advert is in flow. Maybe today I was just unlucky but it all seems to be qwuite random. Anyway, I hope you can survive all this and the content is always very enjoyable. I'm sure I will still watch once I've calmed down.

[@stuartfillingham]

well if they dont show ads, i cant afford to run the channel!

[@hectorshouse7348]

Exactly Stu…some people will never understand mate. Thank you for the videos😀👍

[@davidmiddleton5350]

Not sure why you would want to add over a thousands pounds worth of "upgrades" to a bike which is worth around £4000 as soon as you ride it off the dealers forecourt.

[@stuartfillingham]

if you can only judge the pastime of motorcycling in monetary terms then you are probably better taking the bus.

[@davidmiddleton5350]

As no motorcycle is perfect I test ride before I buy. My current bikes are a bobber which has a Motone handlebar riser fitted, a Street Twin which has a handlebar riser, mirror extensions and luggage rack fitted and a Gold Star with mirror extensions fitted. These after market parts make riding and touring more used friendly. I therefore choose to spend my spare cash on fuel, food and accommodation on frequent UK tours, rather than in most cases bling. My bikes aren't garage queens, however I appreciate that is the enjoyment for many and that could have been a reasonable response from you Stuart. We are all aware of the relationship that vloggers have with motorcycle manufacturers and after market part suppliers and their symbiotic financial arrangements. You need to be less touchy when comments are made that you don't like.